THE derelict northern end of Toowoomba's city-centre is about to undergo a renaissance with the abandoned Allied Mills complex hitting the market.

The 1.8ha property is expected to undergo a multi-million dollar transformation into a Melbourne-style precinct of apartments, hotels, boutique shops, cafes and businesses.

It comes on top of the $43 million conversion of the neighbouring Toowoomba Foundry into a Bunnings Warehouse, the $4.5 million upgrade of the flood-prone East Creek crossing just metres away and council's $45 million ring road project.

Colliers International has been enlisted to market the property as an opportunity to revitalise the neglected edge of the CBD.

The campaign will involve national marketing as well as advertising to big-money developers in Asia.

The 1.8ha Allied Mills site at the corner of Ruthven St and Chalk Dr is being marketed to developers across Australia and Asia.Contributed

"Allied Mills is one of the last remaining large land holdings on the CBD fringe that I can see being a major mixed-use site," Colliers director Markus Eames said.

"I foresee this site being a little bit of trendy Brisbane or Melbourne in Toowoomba with fresh farmers' markets, bulky goods, offices, boutique retail, funky cafes and more.

Reader poll

Is mixed residential and boutique dining/retail a good use of the Allied Mills site?

This poll ended on 20 July 2014.

Current Results

Yes

65%

No

34%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

"It's just testament to the strong Toowoomba market, and what council is doing at the moment with this ring road going right beside the site is fantastic."

More than 8000sq m of buildings will be included in the sale, several of which are heritage-listed.

Toowoomba Regional Council and the State Government unveiled plans to redevelop the rail land behind Allied Mills last year.

Council released preliminary concept drawings last year of its plan to create an urban railyard precinct encompassing the Allied Mill site.Contributed

Preliminary concept drawings included parkland, shopping plazas and "urban village developments" with a wide range of housing choices.

It also floated the idea of redeveloping the existing rail shed to accommodate events including regular farmers' markets.

Allied Mills was forced to shut down its Toowoomba operations after its historic mill and mixing plant were badly damaged in 2011's flash floods.

Mr Eames said the risk of further floods was a consideration developers would have to acknowledge in their designs, but believed council's mitigation work would greatly reduce the risk of a recurrence.

Justin Reisinger (left) and Marcus Eames from Colliers International have been enlisted to sell the former Allied Mills site on Ruthven St.Chris Calcino